Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of metals from the scrap from nickel-cadmium electric storage batteries or other products which in addition to cadmium also contain organic substances and metallic components made of iron, nickel or other metals. The process involves opening the batteries and emptying them of any free electrolyte, drying the scrap, removing the organic substances by pyrolysis at an initial temperature followed by condensation. The pyrolysis and distilling-off operations are performed in one and the same furnace by the successive and preprogrammed raising of the temperature inside the furnace, for example in stages, in order to produce a residue inside the furnace in the form of nickel and iron scrap.Pyrolysis takes place in a controlled atmosphere, requiring the introduction of an inert gas such as nitrogen with the addition of between 3 and 12% of oxygen, if necessary in the form of air.